Buchter News » Peoples Corner

HOPES FOR UPCOMING EXHIBITION

admin — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:11:00 +0000

Tomoko Kono is a working artist from Japan who came to Luderitz in 2011 as a JOCV volunteer. She started art in High School and studied at the Tokyo Geijutu Daigaku (Japanese name) translated to the University of Fine Arts and Music for four years, where she met co-workers who are still supporting her work. She is helping at the Youth Centre where she has the flexibility to work on her own project. Last year she got to know the community by putting together art classes for adults as well as taking an art class for the primary children at Diaz School. She did some great projects with them and she painted a 3×5 meter painting for the school.
She wants to get the children to be creative and aware of the environment by using recycled material in some of their creations.

Tomoko has plans for an upcoming exhibition and she is very enthusiastic about. The exhibition will include 10 pieces of her own art work and the rest will be work from a mixture of children around Namibia who she has worked with. Displays of some Japanese artists work will be shown on post cards.

If all goes to plan she hopes that the exhibition will be held in April in Kolmanskop, she also hopes to take the exhibition to Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Windhoek.

As of now Tomoko will be continuing a youth group art class at the Youth Centre.

PLANS FOR YOUTH

admin — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:09:37 +0000

Justina from the Youth Centre is planning an art project with children involving drama, art and music. The project will be called: “Art in me.”

Justina will go to schools in the Karas region and in a couple of schools in the Hardap region and wants existing passionate artists to come forth and join her. The project is focussing on unemployed and out of school youth, so they can get creative! Let the kids be creative and show their art in all different ways.

FATHER OF THE ICHABOE PENGUINS

admin — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:33:36 +0000

This month Jess Christiansen interviews Tony Delport Island watchman on Ichaboe island.

Born in Walvis Bay, Tony Delport started out as a temporary ranger. Realising his passion for working with animals he went on to study conservation at the Polytechnic of Namibia. He said “You must always follow your dreams. Never let the difficulties of life stop you.” So after graduation, that’s exactly what he did – he followed his dreams – where he ended up in Khorixas looking after black rhino and elephants for many years.
In 2003, he spotted a job vacancy for island headman working for the Ministry of Fisheries. The first two times he applied, he wasn’t successful but third time lucky, and he finally made it. Seven years down the line he is still there. When asked what inspired him to go for the job, he replied, “I like to be hands on. I wouldn’t want to be the office job type and I love animals so it seemed perfect for me.”
He faces many daily challenges on Ichaboe but the biggest for him he says “is the ability to live for extended periods in isolation with limited resources.” On the island with him he has a worker, a technical assistant and of course the approximate 1500 penguins. Another challenge for him is being able to handle the responsibility there is, including the well-being of the birds, running and maintaining the eco-system and minimising the impact of disturbance when people go to harvest the guano. “Gaining the trust of the penguins is also a difficulty” he said, rolling up his sleeve to reveal bruises from the somewhat harmless-looking flippers.
Recently a tracking program has been set up and is currently in place for the first time. Lucy, is the first ever African penguin who has a satellite tracking device on her. She is land-raised from a chick and her type is called a Baby Blue. Most penguins, when they are old enough, will go to sea for over a year without hitting land at all. However, there is a gap in the knowledge of where they end up. He is keeping his fingers and toes crossed for her to make it to her destination unharmed. And so am I!
When the future of his career was mentioned it was clear that he hadn’t thought about it and replied “my job satisfaction is through the ceiling and not many people can say that!” He is a very happy man having his career as his hobby and talks about the marine animals and beautiful sunsets that surrounds him, with a twinkle in his eye. Although the success rate of returning penguins is decreasing and is already quite low, Tony is doing everything he can for them. He states he will be staying on Ichaboe for as long as possible. “Every day is different and you never know what nature will throw at you.” Thanks for doing what you do Tony! And give a high five to the penguins from the Bucht.

“WHAT A BEAUTIFUL FEELING”

admin — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:19:36 +0000

Brian Finch did it again at this years’ KratsPlatz Bike Rally. For 5 years, 64 year old Brian Finch has been lighting up Barrels’ stage with his unforgettable tunes and timeless classics. This year his set included songs from his unreleased album – which true to its name was; “out of this world”.
Brian Finch began playing solo and released his first album “never look back” in 2003. As his album suggests he never looked back, with the hits rolling and releases rocking right up to the present day. Brian’s most recent album – his 11th – was produced here in Namibia, in Windhoek with Hatrick Studios, it is to be released at the end of July and “Out of This World” promises to be a must buy.

Listen to Brian Finch’s lyrics and without a doubt you will find out more about the man behind the guitar than reading his diary. The tunes reflect the highs and lows of his life, He says; “my music is about where I’ve been and where I’m going” and he adds that “very single song has been written for a reason”.
Brian attributes much of his success to his wife Marion; “She’s been with me through thick and thin since the age of 16. Without her I never would have made it.” His annual tours, although centered in South Africa and Namibia, also include visits to Holland and the UK. In September he travels abroad once more to promote his new album. And yet the legend (as he is commonly known) returns each year to our windy little town in this small corner of the Namib. Why?
“It’s the magic of the place. Great scenery, Great people, Great hospitality. It’s my favourite space in Namibia. There is nowhere like Luderitz.”

Will You Be a Victim of Life?

admin — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 18:33:57 +0000

My question is: Are we going to be victims of life or are we going to go out and make the most of each and every day? Hiv/Aids victims see the disease as the end but let me tell you, it can be a new beginning for you and your family. This month I give you a reflection on the way I see the word Victim. I believe that we all can overcome what ever we face in our life.
Victim – a word we hear all too often. In recent years I’ve noticed a shift in healing circles and support groups to a new understanding of what it means to be a victim. Not to what makes you a victim – we still need to be aware and act to change these situations. No, we are changing our personal response to our experience as victim.
We have all to an extent experienced suffering in our lives – whether emotionally, physically, economically, politically, socially, or stigma because of your HIV status. We feel violated, injured, wronged. We feel anger, fear, hurt, even despair. We may even feel shame. We often blame those who abused us – but also ourselves, our families, our community, our society – those that let it happen to us.
What I have learned is about the need for more than healing – we also need to forgive and remember. Healing itself is often an individual path – recognizing the stages of grief/ healing: denial, anger, bargaining, despair, acceptance – letting go of pain, anger and blame.
Why letting go of blame? Because to blame is to give up your own power in the situation. If “they” did it and “they” are totally responsible for the situation, then there is nothing we can do to change it or to heal, we can only wait for a change of heart from them.
We can be responsible for a situation – we did it, it’s our fault, it is within our means to change it. Or we can be responsible to a situation – we recognize it and can, of our own power and will, do something about it. In order to heal when we suffer as a victim, we can choose to become responsible to the circumstances and change our behaviour to reduce the chances of it happening again.
Healing is not only letting go of the pain, but also learning how to receive – the healing treatment, love, energy, and other help we deserve – and return to a healthy engagement with life.
.
Forgiveness is not something to be taken lightly. It requires deep knowledge of yourself and the other person or persons involved. “Physically taking the bullet out of the wound” is only a first step. I believe it is also important to remove the emotional and spiritual “bullets” we have suffered from. Ironically, all of these “bullets” hurt everyone involved – the “victim”, the “abuser” and the community as a whole. We need to remember: Activism against abuses is not merely about blame – although it may appear so at times. It can be about ensuring that the abuse doesn’t happen again. Heal yourself, be part of healing the community, and join with others to change the way we do things so no one else becomes a victim.
We will need all the wisdom of healing, forgiveness and remembering that we can live through the coming times of a changing planet. .
I suggest we all learn to heal, forgive and remember. Take personal responsibility where it is possible. Let go of all the baggage about “them” that continues to injure us. And join together to “look back to decide how to do it better the next time” Heal with the planet and each other.
Until next time!!
P.S. Much love
Gregory De Vries
Luderitz
Break the silence CBO
0813757947
gddevries@yahoo.com

Apology

admin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:24:20 +0000

The Buchter News would like to extend it apologies to the FNB Luderitz Branch.
The FIFA World Cup 2010 parade that took to the streets of Luderitz last month was organised and funded by the Luderitz branch of First National Bank.
Congratulations again on a fantastic event FNB!•

Road from Alexander Bay, Oranjemund to Luderitz

admin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:06:22 +0000

Dear Lüderitz Business Sector
It is time that we start doing something to get business back into Lüderitz. We must stop waiting for others to do this for us. I propose to do the following and I trust that I get your support in doing this: I can see big opportunities for the two towns on the Namibian side of the border, namely Oranjemund and Lüderitz, if tourists can travel this road along the coast.
Tourists are not overly happy and very often decide on the spot, while in Aus, to carry on driving North or staying over in Aus respectively. They find it a schlep to go the Panhandle way – one way in and the same way out of Lüderitz! Tourists and South Africans alike would love to come to our country, travel up north along the coast and the Namib Desert, to the Etosha Park and then come back via the R1 to go to Windhoek or SA.
The argument has always been that the Sperrgebiet is closed and nobody may go in there. We understand why but we are told more and more that there are no more diamonds to be picked up on land. They are now only left in the sea. So why can we not find a way that this road and area can be useful to the people around here! I am aware that the Sperrgebiet has been declared a National Park. I cannot see what that means to the livelihood of the people, as it is still as closed as always, for the last 102 years.
This Park will have to do something for the people around it. Why can we not travel on Routes and Roads through the Park with an escort or with guides or with concession holders? Reasonable fees can be charged for guiding them or taking them to the places to see! They could be escorted in the morning from Luderitz to Oranjemund and vice versa. This could be done charging a fee! If we can get the Sperrgebiet Park opened, then we can start seeing a difference to the development and the sustainability of the two mentioned towns! Then we will have people here to have a look at and to experience all our attractions – Starting with our Bogenfels if you arrive from the south, maybe a look at the red crater, the desert and the ghost towns everywhere, our beautiful coast, the seals and then of course our eco-systems preserved by the closing of the desert for the last 102 years. What about our Peninsular, the Diaz Cross, the old German colonial and historical town itself, our harbour, the beautiful buildings and of course Shark Island with its rich history. There are so many things in the line of entertainment / adventurism that can be started and that will become sustainable if we have enough people coming to our town and making use of them!
People locally will be able to develop their own businesses, including Tour Guiding, but also many other interesting things that are currently not offered – cobble stoned historical streets, the old Muslim history with the very old houses, some of them still standing today can be shown and explained, the opening of a 4×4 area just outside the airport for 4×4 driving under guidance and for a fee, the opening and development of Township Tours, the Agate Beach and the obvious, fishing. Of course there are fish to catch, however, we have to market the season and we have to make it exciting; shark fishing, cray-fishing for tourists and so many other fishing types. Go out with a boat; do snoek fishing, offer everything that we have including the supply of fishing rods, crayfish nets etc. and people will stay for a few days. With our crayfish festival in April we already have a foot in the door.
It would be so inspiring if people come here, find things to do and then can spread the word. Colleagues, we intend to lobby the Prime Minister, Honourable Nahas Angula, the Minister of Mines and Energy, Honourable Isak Katali, the Environment and Tourism Minister, Honourable Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and to involve the NTB to get this thing going soon. All we are asking from you is your support in this Endeavour and, if you do support this, we request you to please sign the petition form, available from Ulf Grunewald at the Nest Hotel. We would then attach this to the lobby letter and hand it over to the Ministers concerned.
Yours Sincerely
Ulf Grünewald Operations Director
Tel: ++264 (0)63 204 000 • Fax: ++264 (0)63 204 001
P.O. Box 690 • Luderitz • Namibia
grunewald@iway.na • www.nesthotel.com
Directors: T.Mutavdzic • U.Grünewald • E.Kubirske
Co. Reg. No 95/0148

Waterfront

admin — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:26:42 +0000

I write this editorial with an overwhelming sense of excitement and optimism about this year’s Lüderitz Crayfish Festival. Since inception in 2008, this initiative has set a superb tone for the renewal of Lüderitz’s economy. The Lüderitz Waterfront is proud once again to announce the hosting of the 3rd Annual Lüderitz Crayfish Festival which shall take place during the Weekend of 30th April -May 3rd 2010 at the Lüderitz Waterfront Harbour Square under the theme: “Our Sea-Our Heritage”. The primary objective of the Crayfish Festival is to position the harbour town of Lüderitz as a major tourist and investment destination by unleashing its economic potential particularly the tourism sector.

Lüderitz is fast emerging as a key tourist destination in Namibia. Lüderitz is widely regarded as extremely wealthy as the town is endowed with fish, lobster and diamonds etc. We are convinced that the Lüderitz Waterfront’s expansion development strategy is expected to have a considerable impact on the economic landscape of the town and may act as catalyst for future development projects. We are very enthused about the growth prospects of our town.

Lüderitz has a number of obvious tourist attractions, including its dominating German colonial architecture, its unique landscape, interesting topography and of great importance its hospitable and generous people. The other hot spot not to be missed on the tourist’s itinerary is the popular “ghost town” of Kolmanskop, a historic place where diamonds were first mined just over 100 years ago. The opportunity offered by the festival is enormous by any standards as it allows people of all walks of life to mingle, mix and socialise during social gatherings and explore the town’s unique hospitable tradition. Contrary to the notion that Lüderitz is remote and far from the centre and has nothing to offer , the reality is that people don’t care irrespective of distance as long as they are enticed and know what is offered for them. It is for this reason that this year we expect record tourist arrivals, close to 10 000 people will trek to Lüderitz and I fear we may not be able to host them all, given the limited accommodation establishments in our town.

The festival is designed to showcase the rich sea life history which has been associated with the harbour town of Lüderitz for many years. Participating SMEs stand to benefit a lot by erecting stalls in order to showcase their products and services. The Lüderitz Crayfish Festival 2010 draft programme has been given new impetus in style and in substance with a number of innovations designed to lure thousands of leisure tourists, holidaymakers and those who basically wish to go Crayfishing in the harbour town of Lüderitz.

For adventure seekers and first time visitors to the Bucht, this is the time and opportunity to abandon other plans for a good reason and be part of this great excitement .There is so much to gain from and to appreciate. Festival participants are guaranteed plenty of interesting outdoor entertainment activities designed to generate wonderful coastal experience, as well as plenty of fresh and tasty sea foods and other Namibian delicacies to choose from. I do have a special request to all Lüderitz business people in our town, please keep smiling at our clients and tourist alike and let us keep our businesses open for an extended time during the festival so as to offer services to the folks. Let’s make this festival another success as this event has already become prominent on the Namibian annual calendar.

Do not hesitate to write to me at waterfront@ iway.na I welcome your thoughts and ideas. I am keen to hear what you think about this annual event.

Mr. Fluksman Samuehl

Personal Growth, Personal Independence: The Limit Is Me

admin — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:55:00 +0000

By Robin Good
One day all the em¬ployees reached the office and they saw a big sign on the door on which was writ¬ten:
“Yesterday the person who has been hindering your growth in this company passed away. We invite you to join the funeral in the room that has been prepared in the gym”.
In the beginning, they all got sad for the death of one of their colleagues, but after a while they started getting curious to know who was that man who hindered the growth of his colleagues and the company itself.
The excitement in the gym was such that secu¬rity agents were ordered to control the crowd within the room.
The more people reached the coffin, the more the excitement heated up.
Everyone thought: “Who is this guy who was hindering my progress? Well, at least he died!”.
One by one the thrilled employees got closer to the coffin, and when they looked inside it they sud¬denly became speechless. They stood nearby the coffin, shocked and in silence, as if someone had touched the deepest part of their soul.
There was a mirror inside the coffin: everyone who looked inside it could see himself.
There was also a sign next to the mirror that said:
“There is only one person who is capable to set limits to your growth: it is YOU.
You are the only person who can revolutionize your life. You are the only person who can influence your happi¬ness, your realization and your success. You are the only person who can help yourself.
Your life does not change when your boss changes, when your friends change, when your parents change, when your partner changes, when your company chang¬es. Your life changes when YOU change, when you go beyond your limiting beliefs, when you realize that you are the only one responsible for your life.
“The most important rela¬tionship you can have, is the one you have with yourself”
Examine yourself, watch yourself. Don’t be afraid of difficulties, impos¬sibilities and losses: be a winner, build yourself and your reality.
The world is like a mirror: it gives back to anyone the reflection of the thoughts in which one has strongly believed.
The world and your reality are like mirrors laying in a coffin, which show to any individual the death of his divine capability to imag¬ine and create his happiness and his success.
It’s the way you face life that makes the
difference.•

My Oops Moment With Love

admin — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:40:27 +0000

There’s a funny thing about love, it will find you in the most unusual circum¬stances, at the most unlikely times. Love will come upon you, throw its arms around you and transform your entire existence. Unfortunately, most of us won’t recognise the experience or understand the impact when it’s happening.
Life is all about love; love is the only true meaning of life .Being alive means that we are occupants in love’s house and are accountable to love’s rules. Perhaps it’s because love rarely shows up in the place we expect it to or looks the way we expect it to look .I spent two years of my life being in love with this man, I call him my “Bee’ because he helped me search, question and heal myself.
I concluded that I was not good enough to be loved by him or anyone. In this moving, conclusion drawing process I also made some decisions about the truth about love, loving or relationships. As time went by I became very clear that all the things I thought about love had nothing to do with it.
I realised that I couldn’t recognise love because I had never actually seen it, I had a picture in my mind of what it should look like, but that picture had been cracked a long time ago. I also discovered that love is more than just a good feeling, it is more than just being needed or having your needs met.
I came to realise that love is inner personal experi¬ence of total well being that did not match any picture I had ever seen.
My oops moment is that you get what you want only to discover that it is not what you thought it would be.
The truth is that love is buried in your soul, and no relationship with anyone can unearth it or activate it in your life. I have learnt that relationships are not contained, what you are doing in the name of love, for the sake of love, will show up in every area of your life.
Love is a union with somebody or something outside oneself, under the condition of retaining the separateness and integrity of one’s own self”
Much love